May - Which Year?

Lake Somerville is a popular fishing spot in Texas, offering a variety of angling opportunities. Here’s what you need to know:

Fish Species: Lake Somerville is home to several fish species, including:

Largemouth Bass: Known for high-quality fishing, especially during the spring spawning run.
White Bass: Excellent fishing, especially during spring.

Hybrid Striped Bass: Also abundant and provides good angling opportunities.

Channel Catfish: A favorite among catfish anglers.

Crappie: Both white and black crappie can be found.

Bluegill Sunfish: Also known as perch.

Flathead Catfish: Also called yellow catfish.

Blue Catfish: Another catfish species.

Fishing Tips:
White Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass: These species can be caught in the creeks during early spring (usually starting in mid-February). In summer and fall, they can be found in open water following schooling shad.
Largemouth Bass: Fishing is very good, with catches of fish up to 10 pounds or more.
Crappie: Look for them around main lake brush piles in 10-15 feet of water.
Catfish: Worms, minnows, and stink bait work well for catfish.
Bluegill: Also known as sunfish, they can be caught using similar baits.

Lake Characteristics:

Location: On Yegua Creek in Washington County, approximately 30 miles from Bryan/College Station.
Surface Area: 11,456 acres.

Maximum Depth: 38 feet.

Impounded: Since 1967.

Water Conditions: Slightly stained clarity
.
Controlling Authority: US Army Corps of Engineers.

Aquatic Vegetation: American lotus and hydrilla.


Access and Regulations:
Fishing is allowed along the shoreline at all of the parks and at the spillway.
All species are managed under statewide regulations.
So, whether you’re after bass, catfish, or crappie, Lake Somerville has something to offer for every angler! For more details, you can visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s page on Fishing Lake Somerville.







Richland Chambers Bait and Tackle
9866 US 287
Corsicana, TX 75109
903-257-8566
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I went out to the spillway on Friday evening and fished from around 5 PM to 7 PM. I ended up catching 17 white bass, 4 goo, a crappie and a big bluegill. I went back around 8:30 AM on Saturday morning and it was packed. I checked on the lake side of the spillway. I didn't see any dead shad on the bank and the fishermen I talked to did not see any shad spawning activity.

Anybody check on the shad spawn lately? I went a little over a week ago and didn't really see any activity by the dam and only caught like 2 white bass in the evening.

I checked on the shad spawn this morning before sunrise. There was no shad spawning, nor were there any shad running parallel to the bank. Next full moon is on May 23rd. I'm still betting on May

Thank you for the report kind sir.

Few shad on the shoreline this morning. Caught a good mess of catfish. Fog was tough.

I have a friend that would like to fish for bluegill in the lake with his fly rod. I think they spawn in June maybe?? I've seen posts here before. I'm not sure what part of the bank would be prospective I have a small jon boat and put in at Welsh a lot. Does the lake level have to be steady for them to spawn successfully? I've caught a few huge blue gill out there and I'd love to figure out how to target these when they are on their beds. Thanks.

Howdy Ollie,

Yes, the spawn on most lakes begin in May but Somerville always seems to start in June. Yes they will spawn, even with changing lake levels. I find them on Lake Somerville most often around the rock outcroppings. The island across from Lake Somerville Marina is one of the best places to target them.

My freezer broke and lost all my fish - was thinking of trying target some catfish this weekend because i had planned a family fish fry for memorial day.

Anyone want to give up a community hole where i may get some decent catfish (via boat?)

Thank you very much J-Moe! I have been enjoying your posts for some years but have never had a chance to thank you :-) I only have an electric motor on my jon boat but I can easily make it to that island from the Overlook ramp!

You're Welcome Ollie, One other spot that can be productive is the area around the free boat ramp at Yegua Creek Park, along the rocks and over in front of the bulkhead. They don't allow bank fishing there anymore so the boat would be needed. But you don't have to wear your batteries out. The size of the bluegill population on Lake Somerville is rather small. If you get into some 8 to 8.5 inch fish, those will be about as big as you'll find.

Whites schooled up deep yet? Thinking of taking the kids trolling next week.

Around this time a few years back, I could walk the bank in a particular area and there would be schools of whites bass hitting the surface. The shad are close to the bank but no big groups of white bass are near the shoreline, only catfish. Can anyone explain this? Thanks!

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